You Are A Member Of Four Teams!

Support them and make them the very best.

 

There are Four “Teams” that you should support enthusiastically

• You – the team of one
• Your Family
• Your School
• The Academy

The Team of One

1. Surround yourself with quality friends: Make sure these are friends that will have your back when the going gets tough. It’s OK if they disagree with you from time to time. That’s what good friends do. And if you are “good friends” you won’t take their criticism personally. If you treat your friends well they will return the favor. Just remember you only need a few good friends. Good friends take work. Too many is impossible to manage.
2. Take care of yourself: Eat a balanced diet. Stay away from things that can harm you physically or mentally. Get plenty of sleep. Stay hydrated. Keep yourself organized.
3. Unplug from the web: Take time to read. Make most of your reading about self-improvement. It’s OK to throw in something fun from time to time, but don’t make it a habit.
4. Broaden your knowledge: with word puzzles and use numeric puzzles to expand your reasoning.
5. Learn to play a musical instrument.
6. Take up a hobby that interests you.
7. Stay physically active.

Supporting Your Family Team

Supporting the family is important especially since the family usually makes sacrifices for you to attend class. There are a number of things you can talk with your parents about doing such as:

1. Chores: By doing household chores such as cleaning rooms, washing dishes, or taking out the trash, children can significantly contribute to maintaining the household and supporting the family team
2. Babysitting: Older children often look after their younger siblings when parents are busy or not present. This is a direct contribution that greatly supports the family.
3. Cooking: Some children can help in meal preparation or even cook simple dishes. This not only helps the family but also equips them with necessary life skills.
4. Grocery Shopping: Children can assist in carrying groceries or shopping for small items on their own – a great way to contribute to the family responsibilities.
5. Supporting Each Other: Children can support their siblings in various ways such as helping them with homework, sharing their belongings, or even comforting them when they feel sad or worried.
6. Being Respectful: By practicing good manners – such as listening when someone is speaking, saying please and thank you, and respecting personal space and property – children contribute positively to a happy and peaceful household environment.
7. Taking Care of Pets: If the family has pets, children can contribute by feeding them, keeping them clean, or taking them for a walk.
8. Making Decisions: Allowing children to be part of rule-making or decision processes in the family makes them feel valued and strengthens the family bond.
9. Emotional Support: Children can provide emotional support to their family members by showing empathy, comforting, and expressing love and appreciation.
10. Saving Energy: Teaching children to turn off lights, fans or electronics when not being used, helps in saving energy, thereby contributing to the family.

Remember, when children participate in contributing to their family, they develop a sense of responsibility and belonging which can serve them well throughout their lives.

Teamwork at school

1. Group Projects: Children learn to work together, delegate roles, and collaborate on ideas in order to complete a group assignment or project.
2. Study Groups: Students often form study groups to help each other understand difficult topics, prepare for tests, and share study resources.
3. Sports Teams: Being part of a sports team requires cooperation, communication, and mutual respect, offering an excellent lesson in teamwork.
4. Band or Choir: Students must listen to each other, synchronize their part, and work together towards the common goal of a harmonious performance.
5. Peer Tutoring: If a student is strong in a certain subject, they may help their classmates understand the material better, thus demonstrating teamwork.
6. Classroom Responsibilities: Many teachers assign classroom jobs like organizing books, cleaning the blackboard, or watering plants. This gives children a sense of responsibility and teaches them to contribute to a shared space.
7. Drama or Theater: Putting on a school play requires cooperation from all students involved, from actors to stage crew, to produce a successful performance.
8. Science Experiments: In science classes, students often work in teams to conduct experiments or build models, learning to collaborate and share tasks.
9. Field Trips: During educational tours or outings, students need to stay together as a group, exhibit cooperative behavior, and often work together on tasks or activities.
10. School Councils: Participating in student councils or committees requires collaboration, negotiation, and the ability to work with others for a shared goal.

In every case, promoting teamwork strengthens mutual respect, enhances communication skills, and teaches students the value of working together.

Supporting Your Team at the Academy

1. Regular Attendance: The regular attendance of classes not only shows support but also consistency and dedication towards learning.
2. Volunteering: Offering to help with cleaning or maintenance of the Dojang, assisting in organizing events, or even helping younger students can portray a strong sense of support.
3. Participating in Events: Joining in competitions and events organized by the Dojang, can show a willingness to represent and a commitment to the Dojang.
4. Encouraging Others: Introducing friends or family members to join the martial art classes can expand the community of the Dojang.
5. Social Media Engagement: If the Dojang has social media accounts, following them and sharing their posts helps increase visibility and may attract new members.
6. Financial Support: Any contributions or donations for the development and maintenance of the Dojang can also show support.
7. Buy Merchandise: If your Dojang sells merchandise, like t-shirts or training equipment, buying them not only supports the Dojang financially but also helps to promote it.
8. Upholding Dojo Culture: Respecting and adhering to the Dojang’s rules and regulations show a sign of respect and support. It helps maintain the discipline and decorum of the martial arts school.
9. Personal Achievements: Excelling in martial arts and achieving ranks brings honor to the Dojang, demonstrating that their teaching is effective.
10. Appreciation: A simple thank you to instructors for their hard work and dedication can go a long way in showing support.
11. Spread the Word: Enthusiastically promoting the Dojang in local community gatherings or events can help in bringing visibility and new members.

Overall, communication, involvement, and active promotion of the Dojang and its values are some of the best ways a martial artist can show their support.

 

These are just some examples of what you can do to support your teams. You may come up with some on your own and that’s fantastic.

 

Master Bill DeGrafft is an active member of the United Tang Soo Do Federation and is a Certified 5^th Dan Master Instructor, having also trained in Sun Mu Sul, Chen Style Taiji, Tai Chi Gung, and Wing Chun. He is the owner at Ponte Vedra Martial Arts Academy. He is also COBRA Self Defense Certified and the Academy is the areas only Authorized COBRA Training Center. Learn more about the academy at https:pvmaa.com, “Like” us on Facebook at PonteVedraMartialArtsAcademy and follow up on Instagram, pontevedramartialartsacademy.